I wake up with incredibly stiff joints, and the cold weather means it takes even more mental and physical effort to get out of bed and face the day. I know that the stiffness will ease, as long as I make sure I keep warm and moving, but the initial pain that comes with the stiffness is incredibly hard to push through.
Keeping warm of course is very important for people with Fibromyalgia. So is trying not to overheat. We often find it hard to regulate our body temperature, and being too hot or cold can cause all sorts of symptom flare ups. Below are my lists of symptoms that flare up when I'm too cold, and when I'm too hot.
When I'm too cold:
- Joint pain
- Nerve pain
- Muscle cramps
- Joint stiffness
- Headaches
- Muscle twitching
- Fatigue
When I'm too hot:
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Subluxations
- Joints that are "too loose"
- Sweating
- Faintness
- Sleep problems
So, what do I do about it? Well, I can't completely control it obviously, but there are some things I can do that may help. These include:
- Drinking lots of water/squash. I use a bottle that has measurements with times at certain points. I have to make sure I've drunk enough by the time indicated on the bottle.
- Have light salty/sweet snacks. This helps keep my electrolytes up and sometimes helps the dizziness
- Sit down whenever I need to, if possible. I have to rest often, whether too hot or too cold. This may help the dizziness
- Have naps, but not too late in the day. I aim to nap around 2 or 3pm if I'm not at an appointment, meeting a friend etc. If I haven't rested by that time, I do usually feel extremely fatigued, especially if I am too hot. Some days my body will reserve more energy however, so I can do a bit more in my day.
- Wear layers instead of thick jumpers. This way I can add more if I'm cold, or take more off if I'm hot.
Do you have problems with temperature regulation? Comment below with your tips for dealing with it!
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